Ann Miller played Essie Carmichael in You Can’t Take It with You (1938), one of her early roles and a memorable part of a truly eccentric ensemble.
Essie is a delightfully quirky character—an enthusiastic (though not particularly talented) ballerina who dances everywhere, all the time. She’s also constantly making candy, with her loving, chaotic family supporting her in everything, even if it doesn't always make sense. Miller, just 15 years old when filming, brought a ton of youthful energy to the part, showing off both her comedic timing and her dance skills—foreshadowing the musical dynamo she’d become in the 1940s and 1950s.
Miller was only 15 years old when this movie was filmed. Her character is called on to perform numerous (amateur) ballet positions, including dancing en pointe. She had never been trained to do so and wasn’t using shoes with the proper support. She was just forcing her feet up onto their toes, which was very painful for her. She hid this from the cast and crew but would cry (out of sight) off stage. James Stewart noticed her crying, though he didn’t know why, and would have boxes of candy to make her feel better.
The film itself, directed by Frank Capra and based on the Pulitzer Prize-winning play by George S. Kaufman and Moss Hart, won the Academy Award for Best Picture and Best Director. It’s a feel-good, screwball comedy about embracing individuality and love over money, and Miller’s Essie is the perfect embodiment of that spirit.
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